Pashinyan Says Government Will Step Down Sunday Before Forming New Cabinet

Armenia's government will formally resign on Sunday as the country's newly elected National Assembly begins its work, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced Thursday, triggering the constitutional process for forming a new cabinet.

The announcement came during what Pashinyan said was the government's final regular meeting in its current composition. Under Armenia's Constitution, the cabinet must resign after a new parliament is convened. The president will then appoint a prime minister nominated by the parliamentary majority, which is expected to be Pashinyan following his Civil Contract party's victory in the June parliamentary elections.

"This is the last regular meeting of our Government," Pashinyan said. "Following the formation of the 9th convocation of the National Assembly, we will resign on Sunday in accordance with the procedure prescribed by the Constitution."

Pashinyan used the occasion to thank members of his administration for their work over the past term, saying there would be future opportunities to evaluate the government's record.

Several senior officials will also leave the executive branch after winning seats in parliament. They include Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Arayik Harutyunyan, High-Tech Industry Minister Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, Kotayk Governor Aharon Sahakyan and Prime Minister's Press Secretary Nazeli Baghdasaryan.

The prime minister thanked each of them for their service in government and wished them success as lawmakers.

Harutyunyan, Hayrapetyan, Sahakyan and Baghdasaryan also addressed the cabinet, expressing gratitude for their time in the executive branch. They said they would continue serving Armenia in the National Assembly with the same commitment they brought to their government roles.

Once the government submits its resignation on Sunday, it will remain in office in a caretaker capacity until a new cabinet is appointed, as required by Armenia's Constitution. With Civil Contract holding a parliamentary majority, Pashinyan is widely expected to be reappointed as prime minister and present a new government for approval.

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